Clean-cut: vauxhall's Zafira Tourer is a leap ahead

The new and improved Zafira has gained an ultra-efficient engine that matches its grown-up character.

This 1.6 turbo-diesel Zafira Tourer appeals to business and private buyers [VAUXHALL]

NO CAR maker can afford to stand still when it comes to engine development. Emission regulations will merely get tougher and manufacturers with highemission engines will suffer high taxation and falling sales. So, just two years after its launch the Zafira Tourer, Vauxhall's seven-seat MPV, has gained an ultra-efficient engine that matches its grown-up character.

In the next few years Vauxhall will expand this cleaner 1.6-litre diesel engine through the rest of its range. The best part of this race to produce lowemission engines is that these cars are also the most fuel efficient so drivers could save lots of money over the life of the car.

While the primary audience for this 1.6 turbo-diesel Zafira Tourer is business drivers Vauxhall makes the point that the new engine should be appeal to private buyers as well. However, being a seven-seater the primary audience for both business and private buyers is those with families who need to seat five, six or seven people.

The 1.6-litre diesel may be new but the Zafira in almost all other respects is unchanged from the previous model. Aside from some subtle badging you will not tell it apart from any other Zafira. This is no bad thing as it is a classy looking MPV that carries its size well. What make the 1.6-litre engine amazing are three main attributes.

First and foremost, it is efficient. Any car with an official fuel figure of 68.9mpg is impressive but given the size and weight of the Zafira it is especially so. That makes it 24 per cent more efficient than the similarly powerful 2.0-litre diesel, which bodes well for when this engine arrives in the smaller Astra hatchback.

Second, it is not some low-power eco-special. Rather, it produces 136bhp, more than the 130bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which is the current best seller.

Finally, Vauxhall's engineers also took on board customer feedback about the amount of noise and vibration produced and claim this car is best-in-class for refinement. As a result of these three aspects the engine is a significant leap forward for Vauxhall and easily eclipses the older 2.0-litre.

On paper the performance of 0 to 60mph in 10.4 seconds and 125mph top speed is slightly better too and this translates well to the real-world driving experience. During normal driving the engine feels willing and is pleasantly responsive. It is perfectly capable of keeping up with everyday traffic in most conditions.

£26,750 diesel - 1.6-litre 60mph in top speed 68.9mpg 109g/km band: B Max, Renault VW Touran 8/10 However, the spacing of the gears means that it struggles in sixth gear on motorway inclines and that's before you load up with extra people and luggage. Drop a gear or two and the car copes well and will still have the ability to accelerate.

The 1.6-litre diesel may be new but the Zafira in almost all other respects is unchanged from the previous model

According to the car's trip computer, the result of a very gentle motorway cruise (including an incline) was a mildly disappointing 45mpg. Few people realistically expect to match the official economy figures but 45mpg against 68.9mpg is not great. However, the Zafira improved to 49mpg over a mix of town and county roads.

The refinement claims also stand out. The 1.6-litre diesel is quiet and smooth until you reach the top of the rev range, which is not the point of this car or engine.

The car plays the comfort card over any sporty aspirations when it comes to the way it drives and this is very welcome in an MPV. That refinement adds to the comfort and quality of the Zafira's interior although the dashboard's confusing layout lets it down.

This new Zafira is clearly the pick of the range and is well worth the price premium because the greater economy should see you recoup that in fuel savings over three years.

However, it is available in only the middle three of the car's six trim level: Exclusiv, Tech Line and SE so this may slow sales.

Against rival seven-seat MPVs the Vauxhall wins on paper easily. Only the Renault Grand Scenic comes close for economy but it suffers on power and performance.

However, buying an MPV will be more about the space inside which is one of the Vauxhall's strengths with seven good-sized seats, an easy folding system and a big boot in five-seat mode. All this gives an easy on-paper win for the Vauxhall and also makes it one of the best in the real world too.